asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that the threatened withdrawal of petrol coupons has caused disappointment and apprehension among the members of the Birmingham Voluntary Transport Service, who give up their night's rest to use their motor-cars for taking serving men and women to their homes, who, on short leave and with their packs, arrive at the stations after local trains, omnibuses and tramcars have ceased to run; and will he take steps to remove this fear by cutting down the supply of coupons for petrol at present allowed where it is used for non-essential purposes?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Members for Duddeston (Mr. Simmonds) and West Birmingham (Mr. Higgs).

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the dissatisfaction with the quantity and quality of the coal at present being supplied to Northern Ireland, he will give instructions that Northern Ireland gets a fair share of English coal and that the supply of coal from other centres be of a better quality?

The programme of coal supplies to Northern Ireland is a matter of agreement between my Department and the Ministry of Commerce in Northern Ireland. At a meeting last week between officers of the two Departments, the position was reviewed and certain necessary adjustments made in the programme.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will set up a committee, on the lines of the Committee on Hydro-Electric Development in Scotland, to consider forthwith analogous development in North. Wales, where there are large undeveloped water-power resources, and where at present the agricultural community is largely deprived of electric power?

The water-power resources of North Wales, which are very much smaller than those of the North of Scotland, formed the subject of an investigation in 1921 by the Water-Power Resources Committee of the Board of Trade. Since then, they have been substantially developed as part of a grid area scheme, which ensures that the electricity requirements of North Wales, so far as they cannot be met from the water-power resources, are provided for from other sources of supply. In view of these developments I cannot agree that the undeveloped water-power resources of North Wales are great enough to warrant further investigation, at any rate at the present time.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether it is the intention of the Government to implement international labour conventions adopted before the war which have not yet been ratified; and also to consult with the United Nations regarding a common policy on the ratification of conventions not already ratified;(2) whether, in view of the resolution adopted by the Joint Maritime Commission calling upon Governments to make special examination of the difficulties in the way of ratifying maritime conventions not yet ratified, it is the Government's intention to make an examination of all conventions?

The question of the ratification of unratified conventions is being kept constantly under review and as soon as the Government propose to ratify any such convention the House will immediately be informed. The constitution of the International Labour Organisation provides no procedure for implementing conventions apart from the procedure of ratification. Consultation at the present time with the United Nations regarding a common policy on the ratification of conventions not already ratified would be unlikely to serve any useful purpose.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that the Government's intention is to continue to collaborate with the International Labour Office in working out schemes for raising international standards and to use it to the full, it is intended to work out in more detail some machinery by which the Minister without Portfolio may be in constant consultation with the International Labour Office?

While the Ministry of Labour and National Service is the coordinating Department and normal channel of communication with the International Labour Office, there is, in fact, complete freedom of communication between the office and any Government Department interested in any particular subject. There would therefore appear to be no need for further machinery such as is suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the resolution passed by the National Executive Council of the British Legion asking him to end the uncertainty which exists as to the reinstatement of serving men in their pre-war occupations; and whether, if necessary, he will appoint a small committee-to go into the whole question in order to secure a clarification of the many difficulties which exist?

The right to reinstatement is already secured to men called up under the National Service Acts so far as it is possible for this to be done by statute. Any problem that may arise is rather that of practical possibility in individual cases and is one among other post-war matters which will have to be discussed with industry in due course. I doubt if a committee such as my hon. Frend suggests could materially assist at the present time.

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether any plans are being prepared to give, on demobilisation, opportunity to make a career in industry and trade to the thousands of young men who have joined His Majesty's Forces at an age when they would normally be gaining knowledge and experience which would have established a foundation upon which their career would have been built, and so avoid the loss of opportunity which thousands of men suffered after the last war, which forced such men into the ranks of the unskilled with little or no future?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour when a dock labour scheme under the Essential Work (Dock Labour) Order, 1941, is to be introduced in respect of ports in the Duchy of Cornwall; to what extent in percentage this will raise the cost of labour to the dock companies; and whether this increase in cost will all be paid to the National Dock Labour Corporation, Limited?

A dock labour scheme in respect of certain ports in Cornwall was approved by the Minister of Labour and National Service under the Essential Work (Dock Labour) Order, 1941, as from nth January, 1943. Under the provisions of the scheme port transport employers covered by it are required to pay towards the costs of the scheme a contribution calculated on a percentage of the wages of their port transport workers. At present this contribution is equivalent to 25 per cent. of the wages of the workers allocated to the employers by the corporation, and 18¾ per cent. of the wages of the employers' regular weekly workers. This contribution is paid into funds administered by the National Dock Labour Corporation Limited, out of which is defrayed the cost of administering the scheme, including the cost of the workers' guaranteed wage, the employers' share of National Insurance contribution, and payment for annual holidays under the National Agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the advisability of proposing that a Soviet political representative should be invited to proceed to North Africa to co-operate with the United States and British political representatives?

The Soviet Government have been kept fully informed of all developments in North Africa, and I feel sure that the Soviet Government would themselves have made this suggestion if they had wished to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the series of photographs, to which his attention has been drawn, published of Women's Auxiliary Air Force policewomen purporting to arrest a suspect, was taken with the co-operation and approval of his Department; and whether they represent an actual occurrence or a staged show?

Yes, Sir; the scenes were enacted to illustrate one of the duties of the W.A.A.F. police.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the total number of enemy aircraft destroyed over Great Britain during 1942?

An analysis of British official communiques shows that 296 enemy aircraft were destroyed over Great Britain during 1942.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any arrangements have been made for bringing he Beveridge Report to the notice of all ranks of the Royal Air Force?

Copies of the abridged version of the Report have been sent to a number of station education officers to enable them to answer questions if the subject were raised at meetings of voluntary discussion groups. With the same object in view, a lecture on the Report was given to R.A.F. education officers and W.A.A.F. officers from all Home Commands' who were attending a recent three-day course.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether or not any ban has been placed on the discussion of the Beveridge Report by airmen prior to its being debated in Parliament?

No, Sir; but, unlike A.B.C.A. discussions in the Army, attendance at discussion groups in the R.A.F. is voluntary.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what percentage of Air Corps personnel, who joined the air crew during the past three months, received training with the Air Training Corps?

Of the volunteers for aircrew duties attested during the three months ended 31st December, 1942, 44 per cent. had received training with the A.T.C.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will give instructions that non-commissioned officers in the Royal Air Force now under training for air crews, but whose course of training was delayed because of their value as technicians, are not to be penalised because, under the recent Order, they temporarily lose their badges of rank whereas others, accepted after a shorter period of waiting, are permitted to retain their non-commissioned officer rank?

The object of the Order to which I presume my hon. Friend refers is to ensure that all airmen entering training for aircrew duties are of equal status, thus leaving commanding officers free to select "leaders" on merit during the training period. Airmen whose rank is temporarily in abeyance during aircrew training do not suffer financially, as their emoluments are not affected. It was considered only reasonable, however, that airmen of warrant or N.C.O. rank who had already proceeded beyond the initial stage of their training should be allowed to retain their rank badges for the remainder of their course. When these particular airmen have completed their training, the anomaly to which my hon. Friend refers will disappear.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps have been taken to reduce the personnel of British Commissions at present in the United States of America; what were the numbers so employed at the end of September last and at the latest available date?

My right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary is at present in the United States reviewing the organisation and staffing of all the war-time missions, Service as well as civilian. The total staff of the missions at the end of September was about 8,000, of whom more than three-quarters have been locally recruited. The latest available figures, which relate to the end of November, show an increase of some 500.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will allow the clergy of down-town churches to be supplied with a certain number of permits for workmen's special omnibuses for distribution to regular worshippers in cases where this would be helpful?

I regret that I do not think it desirable to adopt my hon. Friend's proposal. It is open to objection on operational and other grounds, and I think it unlikely that it would satisfactorily fulfil the purpose which he has in view.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport, whether he will allow omnibuses which take passengers from the outskirts of large cities, such as Birmingham, to start their journey late enough to pick up passengers who have left the centre of the city by the last omnibus and would otherwise have to walk from the city Omnibus terminus to their homes in neighbouring towns?

My Noble Friend has decided that, except for the services required for workers, all road passenger services must be closed down at a reasonably early hour. This is necessary in order to save fuel and tyres, and to reduce the heavy strain now falling on the operating staff. I regret that, for these reasons, I do not think it would be right to give the instructions which my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, in view of the fact that a large number of the globes attached to the beacons at pedestrian crossings have been either damaged or destroyed, and that most of the stems require repainting in order to make them visible in the black-out, he will consider the removal of these beacons to add to the metal requirements of the nation?

As I explained in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Sir S. Reed) on 25th November, the amount of metal that would be recovered by the removal of the beacons would be small, while the cost of its recovery would be comparatively heavy. For these reasons, I do not think it wise to adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's proposal.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will arrange that where signposts are being re-erected they will be at such a height as to be easily visible in the beam of dimmed headlights?

To give effect to my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion would involve the re-erection of signs at a height not exceeding 3 feet 6 inches. While in some cases this may be practicable, it would, in the majority, create a real danger to pedestrians, particularly during the black-out.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, in the case of the construction of new motor roads in Scotland, he can state the different Departments which will have a voice in selecting routes, protecting amenities and coordinating schemes to meet the requirements of planning?

Legislation would be necessary to reserve roads for motor traffic. The Department responsible for the provision and construction of roads in Scotland, as elsewhere in Great Britain, is the Ministry of War Transport. Consultation on these matters with the Secretary of State for Scotland, as responsible Minister for planning in that country, will be maintained in the future an in the past.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport the method by which he proposes to prevent traffic in late night passes in those districts where the curfew has been introduced?

In the Midland Region late night passes for workers are issued by the transport undertakings through the employers, who recover them from the workers when they are no longer required. Each pass shows the name and address of the holder and of his employer, and gives details of the journey he must make, including the starting point and the approximate time. The passes will be checked from time to time by the inspectors of the transport undertakings, and will be confiscated, if they are wrongfully held.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether Regional transport officers are authorised to facilitate the supply of anti-freeze mixture to district nurses and midwives?

The Regional Transport Commissioners have been asked to consider favourably requests for the issue of anti-freeze made by such classes of private car owners as those to whom my hon. Friend refers. I have received no complaints from district nurses or midwives.

asked the Minister of Information whether he will reconsider the present arrangements in connection with the recording of news pictures relating to the war, having regard to the fact that the present rota system much retricts the variety of the news-reel pictures that can be shown in public; and will he accordingly grant to news-reel companies the same amount of freedom as that which is enjoyed by the newspapers?

There is no question of denying freedom to the news-reel companies. The rota principle was adopted with the concurrence of the Newsreel Association and the arrangements for operating it are the subject of weekly consultation with that association. Their aim is to provide opportunities for securing good material illustrative of the Allied war effort and for making it available to the largest possible public. Plenty of variety can be introduced by selection from the rota material available, by its manner of treatment and by supplementing it with non-rota items at the discretion of the news-reel company concerned.

asked the Minister of Information why the British Broadcasting Corporation, in reporting the speech made by the Minister of Aircraft Production in the factory of A. V. Roe, referred to the type of aircraft under construction and mentioned the place of manufacture; and whether it is now permissible to refer in public to the locus of munition production?

Publication of the fact that Lancaster bombers are manufactured by Messrs. A. V. Roe has been authorised for some time by the Ministry of Aircraft Production and the B.B.C.'s reference to the Minister's speech could not convey any useful information to the enemy as to the place of manufacture. Disclosure in any published report of the location of a named factory engaged on munitions work is not permitted, but no objection is taken to mention of the pre-war head office address of firms so employed.

asked the Minister of Information whether the Wartime Social Survey work of his Department still continues and, if so, on what lines?

Yes, Sir. The Wartime Social Survey is continuing its research work on the lines laid down as a result of the inquiry by the Sub-committee of the Select Committee on National Expenditure presided over by the hon. Member for South Croydon (Mr. H. Williams). The survey is at present carrying out investigations for the Board of Trade, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Food, the Ministry of War Transport, and the Ministry of Fuel and Power.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that a letter sent by Squadron-Leader Cooper, of Overseas Airways Corporation, in Asmara, was not only censored, but a copy of the letter, or an extract, was sent to his employers which led to his dismissal; and on what authority the censor acted?

A report received by the Postal and Telegraph Censorship Department shows that a letter written by Squadron-Leader Cooper was detained by the chief censor at Asmara and referred to the military administrator of the Occupied Enemy Territory, to which authority the censor is responsible on all questions affecting security. No other action was taken by the censor.

asked the Minister of Information whether he is aware that there is a strong feeling that the censoring of questions put to the Brains Trust by a civil servant on the staff of the British Broadcasting Corporation and again by the Governors, is reducing this educative feature to a comic turn; and whether he will take steps to ensure that intelligent questions sent in by the public are given an opportunity for discussion?

There is no civil servant on the staff of the B.B.C. to whom the Brains Trust questions are referred; nor have the Board of Governors ever attempted to act as censors. In answer to the latter part of the hon. Member's Question, I must remind him that the Brains Trust was established as a part of the entertainment programme of the B.B.C.

asked the Home Secretary who is responsible for deciding after an air-raid which damaged buildings are to be demolished and which shored up; and are any special efforts made to preserve what is of archaeological interest?

Primary responsibility rests with the local authority, subject to the exercise of a measure of control by Regional Commissioners, more particularly after the work of first urgency following a raid has been completed. All authorities have been reminded of the importance of preserving buildings of archaeological interest, and they have been requested to seek the advice of experienced architects who are members of a panel appointed by my noble Friend the Minister of Works and Planning.

asked the Home Secretary whether, owing to the large number of unemployed in Northern Ireland, he will instruct those in charge of the erection of aerodromes within its bounds to find work for the Northern Ireland unemployed before allowing anyone living outside its borders to be employed on this work?

As stated in my right hon. Friend's reply to a Question on 8th October, a scheme has been devised for the control of persons coming into Northern Ireland from Eire or elsewhere: and under this scheme which came into operation on 1st January, permits to reside in Northern Ireland will not be given to such persons if they come into Northern Ireland to find employment for which they are not required. I am of opinion that this arrangement will secure the end my hon. Friend has in view.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the smuggling of necessaries from Northern Ireland to Eire, including flour, of which 16 tons were recently seized in one lot, he will immediately, in the interests of the food supply for Northern Ireland, end this traffic by taking steps to order imprisonment, without the option of a fine, for smugglers and all engaged in the black market?

The Customs Acts and Defence Regulation 76B of July last provide very heavy penalties including, at the discretion of the courts, imprisonment in addition to, or in lieu of fines. The penalties are already commensurate with those prescribed for black market offences, and in view of the number and magnitude of recent detections I do not think that further legislation is required at present.

asked the Attorney General, in view of the increase in the number of applications for possession, following the issue of certificates by county war agricultural executive committees, and seeing that there is a great dearth of cottages in rural districts, whether he will consider the advisability of circularising county court judges and benches of magistrates, particularly in rural areas, to remind them that they are not bound to act upon the certificate and they must determine whether the grounds upon which possession of the cottage is required are reasonable or not?

My Noble Friend does not think it necessary or desirable that he should issue circulars to county courts for the purpose of reminding them of their powers and duties under the enactment to which the hon. Member refers. The enactment speaks for itself, and if the construction were ambiguous, it would be for the courts to interpret it. To avoid misunderstanding it is I think right to say that a circular is being issued to county court judges about this enactment to draw their attention to a recent decision of the Court of Appeal which had not so far been reported. That is of course quite a different case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the shortage of many essential articles on Tyneside such as perambulators, batteries, babies' cots, stockings, powder, etc, compared with London, he will take steps to adjust this maldistribution?

I have no evidence that Tyneside is receiving less than its fair share of available supplies of essential articles. Steps have been taken to increase the general supplies of certain kinds of batteries and stockings. Arrangements have been made for utility cots to be manufactured in Newcastle and efforts are being made to develop local production of perambulators.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any guarantee of durability is given with utility stockings for women?

No, Sir; but the utility specifications, for stockings as for other goods, are designed to provide a reasonable minimum quality within the severe limits set by the raw materials and capacity available in war-time. I have stopped the production of one of the utility specifications which has proved unsatisfactory, and I am having others revised. In addition, I shall shortly require each manufacturer to apply an identification mark to all utility knitted goods made by him. This will enable my officers to take up specific complaints about the quality of utility stockings with the manufacturer.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of doctors who are required to enable the suggested appeal tribunals to operate; and what was the latest date on which the British Medical Association was asked for advice?

Including the additional appointments which would have to be made to my own staff, it is estimated that between 35 and 55 whole-time doctors would be required for the purpose in question. The British Medical Association was last consulted on the 27th November, 1942.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Planning what machinery is in existence for members of the public to make an appeal against arbitrary action taken by officers of his Department?

If my hon. Friend has any specific action in mind and will let me have particulars, I will have inquiry made.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has any statement to make in reply to the representations made to him by a deputation of the Liverpool City Council on 23rd November, 1942, which asked for a resumption of housebuilding in Liverpool?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in order to improve the housing situation in the city of Liverpool, he will cause to have repaired all houses in the city now empty as the result of enemy action, but which can be made habitable, at least, until the end of the war?

My right hon. Friend is arranging with my Noble Friend the Minister of Works and Planning, for the repair of the houses in question to be accelerated as rapidly as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is now prepared to reply to the letter sent to him on 16th November, by the hon. Member for Newcastle Central, regarding Mrs. Guthries' chocolate licence?

I sent a first reply to my hon. Friend on 7th December and I trust that he has now received the full, final and favourable reply I addressed to him on 16th January.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what are the ingredients at present of the national loaf; and in what proportions they are inserted?

Apart from yeast, salt and the various improvers which are the recognised adjuncts of bread baking, the permitted ingredients of national flour for making the present national loaf are wheat flour of 85 per cent. extraction, imported white flour, oats products, barley, rye, milk powder, and calcium, in the proportions authorised. In addition the baker may use a proportion of white flour as permitted in Article 20 of the Flour Order, 1943, and potatoes and potato flour as permitted in the Bread (Control and Maximum Prices) Order, 1943. The composition of national flour and consequently of national bread is not, and will not, be standardised over the whole country, but the best possible use is being and will continue to be made of home-grown cereals having regard to the point of supply and the need for the maximum economy of transport. The proportion of dilutants, although it may vary slightly in different areas, does not, at present, in general exceed 5 per cent.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food the qualifications of the technicians and scientists who have been responsible for the design, erection and working of the different factories for the processing of potatoes; and how they are being remunerated?

It is not clear what my hon. Friend means. No plants for the processing of potatoes only have been designed by my Department. The only potato processing plants erected by my Department are in Northern Ireland, and are operated on behalf of my Department by the Government of Northern Ireland. These plants, constructed by two firms of long experience, incorporate a design completed before the war. In this country the processing of potatoes is carried out mainly in factories that were in existence before the war and by machinery designed before the creation of the Ministry of Food. If my hon. Friend will be good enough to let me know which factories he has in mind I shall be glad to do my best to give him more precise information.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that some expectant mothers and young children, priority consumers, went without milk for two days in Luton recently as a result of the failure of a milk distribution scheme, prepared under the direction of the Ministry; and whether criminal proceedings are to be taken against those responsible for putting into effect a scheme which may have led to the deaths of children?

Owing to unforeseen circumstances there was a partial breakdown of milk deliveries in parts of Luton served by one distributor when the scheme for the rationalisation of retail deliveries was introduced at the beginning of this month. I much regret that this breakdown resulted in some priority consumers being temporarily without milk, but the position was never so bad as to endanger the health of children. The local food office took immediate steps to rectify the position by arranging for the affected areas to be served temporarily by other milkmen. I understand that the position is now much better and that very shortly the whole scheme will be working quite satisfactorily.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will give any indication of his intentions as regards rationing bread, both as to the date when this might begin and as to its extent?

While my Noble Friend is anxious that home-produced foods (especially potatoes) should, whenever practicable, be consumed in the place of imported foods (especially wheat), there is no present intention of rationing bread. The second part of the Question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, as wholesalers in the fish trade, recognising that his Department has fixed fish prices too high and that retailers have, through shortage of supplies lost much income have returned bonuses to customers, he will consider lowering these prices?

I have no knowledge of the practice to which my hon. Friend refers. If he will supply me with further particulars I shall be glad to examine the matter. I would say however that there is no obligation on any wholesaler to charge retailers any price higher than he thinks fair and reasonable.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the amount of condemned food is still high in many towns in the country; and whether he will investigate the returns from all the chief Lancashire boroughs in order to ascertain the causes of this waste?

I have no reason to believe that excessive quantities of food are being condemned in any part of the country. In certain areas condemnations may appear to be high for the reasons given in my reply to the Question put by my hon. Friend on the 14th October last. All practicable steps are taken to prevent food from becoming unfit for human consumption and local health authorities have been asked to advise my Department of condemnations. Under existing arrangements investigation would be made into any case where the quantity involved appeared unduly high, and no special investigation into the position in Lancashire boroughs is called for at the moment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been called to the action of the Manchester City Council in initiating an inquiry into the effect of the Fish Zoning Scheme on Manchester; and whether he will assist the local authority in this investigation and encourage other towns to take similar action?

Yes, Sir, my attention has been called to the inquiry referred to by my hon. Friend. I have agreed that the Area Fish Distribution Officer stationed in Manchester shall attend meetings of the committee and give whatever assistance he is able. I see no reason to encourage other local authorities to take similar action.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware of the grave concern of area bread officers and the bakery trade at the removal of the industry from the list of vital occupations; and what steps have the Ministry taken to provide new arrangements in view of the fact that the provision of bread is a necessity?

Bakers were removed from the list of vital war occupations by the Ministry of Labour and National Service with the concurrence of the Ministry of Food. It is expected that new arrangements more satisfactory to all concerned will be put into operation at an early date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the number of milk contracts which have been renewed since 1st October under which the producers are entitled to a voluntary bonus; and what proportion of last year's total of £400,000 for Guernsey and Jersey milk bonuses will the producers receive under the new contracts?

5,469 premium contracts for the year commencing 1st October, 1942, were made between distributors and milk producers up to 31st December, 1942. The number of Jersey and Guernsey milk premium contracts is approximately 60 per cent. of the number of such contracts entered into during the 12 months ended 30th September, 1942. I have seen statements to the effect that the premiums received by producers amounted to about £400,000 per annum, but I have no means of confirming whether this estimate is accurate. In any case, this stated figure covers premiums for T.T. milk, level delivery and special services as well as for Jersey and Guernsey milk. Premiums for Jersey and Guernsey milk were only a small proportion of any total sum paid by way of premiums.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what amount of capital expenditure in respect of British Restaurants has been reimbursed, or agreed for reimbursement, to local authorities; what proportion of this total represents building work, installation and equipment, respectively; and what was the cost of the equipment which has been issued to local authorities from the Ministry's pool?

Up to 31st December, 1942, the Ministry had approved capital expenditure amounting approximately to £1,800,000 in respect of British Restaurants; against this total a sum of £758,171 had been reimbursed to the local authorities concerned. The expenditure cannot be apportioned under the headings suggested in the Question, but about half of the total was for building and installation work. In addition to capital expenditure incurred directly by local authorities, the supply of equipment authorised through the Ministry's pool amounted to £695,000.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many dockyard men have refused to take their share of fire-watching; and what action is taken in such cases?

There have been some cases of dockyard workmen refusing or failing to perform fire watching duties; appropriate action has been taken, and will continue to be taken as necessary, under the Fire Prevention (Government Premises) Orders.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether or not any ban has been placed on the discussion of the Beveridge Report by sailors prior to its being debated in Parliament?

No, Sir. No ban has been placed on the discussion of the Beveridge Report by sailors, but, of course, A.B.C.A. discussions are not compulsory in the Navy as they are in the Army.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now able to give details of the result of his investigation arising out of firms implicated in the trial of Liverpool contractors; and whether any disciplinary action against officers concerned within the Admiralty is contemplated?

I am not yet in a position to give the result of the investigation to which my right Hon. Friend the First Lord referred in his reply of 16th December, but I will inform the hon. Member as soon as I am able to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any yields of potatoes and sugar-beet are still in the ground; and, if so, to what extent?

According to my information the lifting of both these crops is practically completed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a document purporting to be a summary of the Report signed by Sir William Beveridge, and dated 20th November, 1942, was prepared officially by, or on behalf of, the War Office for issue to members of the Armed Forces; whether that document was in fact issued; whether this was the document which was, after issue, withdrawn from circulation; and, if so, upon whose instructions and for what reasons was it withdrawn?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer I gave yesterday to my hon. Friends the Members for West Bromwich (Mr. Dugdale) and Nuneaton (Mr. Bowles), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a Jerusalem lawyer appearing before the Privy Council must wear a wig and gown, but that in the Jerusalem courts the English judge presiding alone wears a wig, whilst the Hebrew judge must be bare-headed and the Arab judge may wear a tarbush; why English judges alone are privileged to wear wigs; and whether, as this distinction between English and native judges detracts from the dignity of the court and suggests to litigants some inferiority in the latter judges, he will cause all judges in the Jerusalem courts to wear wigs?

I have consulted the High Commissioner for Palestine with regard to these representations, and I will communicate to my hon. Friend in due course the result of my inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in August last two African artisans working in a compound at Kissy Flat, Freetown, Sierra Leone, were shot and killed by white soldiers, another artisan being seriously wounded, all references to the incidents being censored in the local Press and, as the coroner's inquest found that unnecessary force was used by the military, why no action has been taken against those responsible; and will he secure the same and preserve the confidence of the workers that the Government will protect them against unjustifiable military attacks?

The riot between African soldiers and civilians, to which my hon. Friend refers, occurred on 6th August last at Kissy, near Freetown. It resulted from a personal quarrel between an African soldier from the nearby Military Camp and an African civilian. Subsequent action, taken on the responsibility of the Officer in Command of the Camp in order to protect the Camp and to prevent damage to persons and property, led to firing by the troops, as a result of which two African civilians were killed and one was seriously wounded. At the coroner's inquest the jury returned the verdict that the deaths were caused by the use of excessive force. On being asked whether they wished to record a verdict of manslaughter, they replied that they had deliberately refrained from including this in their verdict. At the military Court of Inquiry it was found that the opening of fire by the troops was justified, but that in some respects the instructions laid down in the appropriate Service regulations had not been fully followed. The Court recommended certain measures as a precaution against further incidents of this kind, and the Governor is satisfied that the action taken in accordance with their recommendations will ensure the constant instruction of all ranks in the principles and details of aid rendered to the civilian powers by the armed forces. The Governor, taking into account the fact that evidence of criminal action, such as would justify criminal proceedings had not been disclosed by the coroner's inquest or the military Court of Inquiry, decided not to institute such proceedings against any of the persons concerned in the incident. The payment of compensation to the wounded man and to the dependants of the deceased has been authorised by the military authorities. I see no reason to question the action of the civil and military authorities in Sierra Leone in this matter. The assumption in the latter part of the Question that the military authorities were responsible for the riot that led to the intervention of the troops, or that such intervention was unjustifiable, is not in accordance with the facts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the public demand for general food rationing in Sierra Leone as a means of remedying the grievance that staple foods are not equitably available to all members of the population; and will he examine this problem with a view to introducing this change?

I understand that requests have been made to the Government of Sierra Leone by certain sections of the community for the introduction of a general system of rationing. These requests have been almost entirely concerned with imported provisions. In the case of imported provisions, the release of stocks held by dealers is controlled by the competent authority, and the quotas released are distributed as equitably as possible by the dealers among their customers. The Colonial Government is at present investigating the possibility of improving this system. In view, however, of the great diversity of diet and essential needs among the various sections of the population, and the impossibility of satisfactory classifying these, it is not considered that a general system of rationing similar to that in force in the United Kingdom would be practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the protest of Honourable Sir Ofore Atta and other unofficial members of the Gold Coast Legislative Council at the action of the Government in allotting a sum of £6,500 war-time allowance to European officials with annual salaries below £600 and with wives in Britain, without any opportunity of the Legislative Council discussing or voting upon the same; and whether he will inquire into this grievance and prevent repetitions?

The protest to which my hon. Friend refers was carefully considered by my predecessor. It was desirable to bring the allowance into force simultaneously in all the West African Colonies; and it had become a matter of urgency owing to the time taken to reach a decision and the financial embarrassment of the officers concerned. Consequently a special meeting of Finance Committee of the Gold Coast Legislative Council was called on the 8th May. The African members, however, asked that the question might be deferred for consideration at the meeting of the full Council fixed for the 26th May. The Acting Governor did not feel justified in agreeing to further delay and decided to exercise his power to authorise an urgent payment in anticipation of a vote of the Legislative Council. The Legislative Council subsequently approved the expenditure. I am satisfied that there was no constitutional impropriety in the Acting Governor's action.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement as to the proposal to open a hospital in the Zaria district of Northern Nigeria?

As I informed my hon. Friend in reply to his Question on 16th December the Governor is being consulted in this matter. The Governor's report is expected shortly, and, when it is received, I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the scope and nature of the work which is being done in the West Indies under the provisions of the Colonial Development and Welfare Act, 1940; and whether he can issue a statement setting forth the number, nature and estimated finance of the schemes which have already been approved?

A general report on the operation of the Colonial Development and Welfare Act will, I hope, be issued as a White Paper early next week. In addition I have received a report from the Comptroller for Development and Welfare in the West Indies which will be published shortly and be available for members in the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, arising out of the tour of investigation and the conferences of Sir Cosmo Parkinson with West Indian Governors, it is intended to issue a report on the same to Parliament?

Sir Cosmo Parkinson is visiting the West Indies as my personal representative and is discussing a large number of administrative and personal questions with the Governors of the various colonies. It is not contemplated that a report on the tour will be issued to Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies by what authority the Governor of Jamaica is prohibiting the railwaymen's trade union in Jamaica from employing officials of the union who are not working as railway employees; and whether any of the prohibited trade union railways officials are now under detention?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Leyton West (Mr. Sorensen) on 25th November last, in which it was stated that the Regulations under which persons not employed on the Jamaica Government railway were prohibited from holding office in the departmental trade union had been cancelled. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the affirmative but I would point out that the detention of these men is not on account of their trade union position, but has been ordered in the public interest under the Jamaica equivalent of the United Kingdom Defence Regulation 18B.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the four trade union members in Jamaica, who were recently arrested, are still under detention?

I would invite reference to the reply which I have given on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now give the reply promised in response to the Question of the honourable Member for Consett on 24th June, 1942, regarding a tribunal to deal with leases of property in Jamaica to United States engineers?

The matter has been taken up with the United States Government. I will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what restrictions have been imposed on a number of members of the People's National Party in Jamaica; how many members are affected by the restrictions; and what is the reason for them?

Restrictive orders under the Jamaica Defence Regulations have been made against seven members of the People's National Party in Jamaica. The restrictions imposed prevent the men from leaving their own parishes without permission, require them to report each week to the police and to notify any change of address, and prohibit them while the Order is in force from addressing public meetings, contributing to newspapers or being concerned in any political propaganda. As regards the reasons for the restrictions I have nothing to add to the reply given to a Question by the hon. Member on the 16th December, 1942.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the present position of the proposed changes in the constitution of the Government of Jamaica which have now been under consideration for nearly two years?

The position is still as stated in the reply given to the hon. Member on 9th December last, but I have now received a memorandum signed by the fourteen elected members of the Legislative Council and by three representatives each of the People's National Party and the Federation of Citizens Associations in which other proposals for a constitution are put forward, and I am giving them consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present position of the Franchise Commissions in British Guiana and Trinidad; when the Commissions were appointed; how many meetings they have held; and whether any limit has been placed on the period of their deliberations?

The Franchise Committee in Trinidad were expected to submit their report some time this month and I have telegraphed to the Governor to ask what the present position is. The Franchise Commission in British Guiana are still deliberating and are contemplating a visit to the interior before submitting their report. Both bodies were appointed in the late spring or early summer of 1941. I have no information how many meetings have been held. As they are not official bodies, it has not been found possible to place a limit on the period of their deliberations but it is my hope that they will do everything possible to expedite them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any recommendations have yet been made by the Land Commission in Northern Rhodesia as to the reservation of land for native Africans; and whether he can give any particulars?

Two Commissions have been appointed, one for the Eastern Province, which includes the tract of land recently purchased from the North Charterland Exploration Company, and one for districts in the Central and Western Provinces. Some areas have been investigated and the Commissioners' reports are in course of preparation. Further areas will be examined as the other immediate war duties of the persons appointed as Commissioners permit. As the result of interim reports submitted by the Commissioners, certain areas in the Central Province have already been made available to Africans. Land in the Western Province will similarly be made available so soon as the necessary administrative and agricultural supervision can be provided. The report on the North Charter-land areas is understood to be practically ready.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the recommendations of the Committee appointed by the Government of Uganda in November, 1937, to inquire into the labour situation in Uganda have been carried out; and whether he has had any recent report as to the labour situation there?

The committee to which my hon. Friend refers made a large number of recommendations, including the appointment of a Labour Advisory Committee, and of a Labour Secretary as part of the central Government machinery. The Governor has appointed a Labour Advisory Committee composed of four officials and four unofficials, and a special Labour Department is shortly to be set up under the control of a senior administrative officer. A recent report from the Governor shows that he is fully alive to the importance of labour problems which are being tackled as vigorously as the European staff situation permits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is now the intention of His Majesty's Government more precisely to implement assurances and intentions respecting Colonial development by drawing up a plan of political, educational and economic expansion, to be applied immediately at the end of the war?

I do not believe that it is possible for a comprehensive and detailed plan for Colonial development to be drawn up centrally by His Majesty's Government in London. The primary duty of planning in detail the development of each Colony must rest upon the territorial authorities, who alone are able to take into account the particular circumstances of each locality. The function of His Majesty's Government is to lay down a general policy and to help to create the conditions in which it can be implemented by furnishing advice, encouragement, finance and personnel to those responsible for planning and execution in the Colonies themselves. The broad policy of the Government was announced in Command Paper 6175 in 1940, and Colonial Governments were asked in a despatch dated 30th April, 1940, to formulate development programmes. Since then progress in planning has varied from Colony to Colony. In some, planning has been held up by the necessary preoccupations of fighting and winning the war. In others planning of all kinds has been going forward as rapidly and as extensively as war conditions have permitted.In the West Indies, for example, notable progress both in planning and in achievement has been made, and is recorded in a report by the Comptroller for Development and Welfare which will be published at an early date.I am fully alive to the importance of planning for the future and I am anxious, as soon as circumstances permit, to urge a quickening of the pace in those territories in which the exigencies of the war have retarded progress.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government has considered the representations of the Ceylon National Congress respecting constitutional changes including Dominion status; whether he has been in communication with the Governor on the matter; and whether any declaration in regard to constitutional progress is likely to be made in the near future?

Yes, Sir. The President of the Ceylon National Congress has been referred to the declaration by His Majesty's Government that Ceylon's constitutional reform will receive earnest and early attention once the victory has been won. I have nothing to add to that declaration.

asked the Minister of Supply how many men of military age are being released from his Department and how many will then remain?

:The answer to the first part of the Question is 180 and to the second part 3,505, the majority of whom belong to technical or professional grades.